It wasn’t so long ago that the flexibility of a business degree was enough to open all kinds of doors to a motivated graduate. But these days you not only need a major in business, but also a minor in communications, not to mention an emphasis in social media. And it couldn’t hurt to have a second major in the industry you intend to enter, be it hospitality, video games, alternative energy, or whatever strikes your fancy. The point is that the job market has changed, and majors that were enjoying job growth even a decade ago have now become over-saturated. Just look at the field of graphic design. However, there are a number of majors you might select that stand to deliver not only lower than average unemployment rates (even in a recession), but also the potential for a livable salary.
You might think that getting into the ivory tower of learning is difficult, what with the vast number of students vying for only limited admissions. But just wait until you see the bill. While some students are lucky enough to have parents who can pay their way and others have the mad skills to nab them a scholarship for partial or full tuition (and even additional expenses, in some cases), far more find themselves on the hook for a lion’s share of the costs associated with seeking a higher education and earning a degree (which generally amounts to thousands of dollars each year). This can leave the average collegian facing some major hurdles when it comes to finances. But armed with the knowledge of what to expect you may be better prepared to face and overcome these challenges. So here are some of the most common financial problems that students face.
The main issue for many students stems from a marked inability to earn the money that would help them to cover expenses. In addition to the obvious cost of tuition and books, you may also have to pay for expenses like lodgings, food, and other extras. Of course, if you choose a school that is close to home you may be able to save quite a bit by continuing to live with your parents. Even if they can’t afford to offer you cash contributions they can almost certainly help you to save some money by giving you free room and board. But many students don’t have this option because they end up at a campus that is far from home.
Although everyone deserves the opportunity to better themselves and improve their job prospects by earning a college degree, the sad truth is that few can afford the expense entailed. And while there are certainly ways to mitigate costs, scholarships and grants are both limited and difficult to obtain thanks to stiff competition from other students. The long and short of it is that many college-bound kids find themselves facing a mountain of bills for tuition, books, and living expenses, and their only real option in most cases is to take out student loans to cover these costs. Even with some family help and a part-time job, the majority of students will have to turn to financial aid or possibly private lenders in order to drum up the scratch that will fund their ongoing education. The hope is that all of this will lead to a high-paying job that allows for repayment of the loans. But before you take the money and run, there are a few things you should know about taking out student loans.
The upside of government loans. In the interest of providing for a more educated populace, the government has seen fit to offer student loans by way of federal financial aid. In fact, this comprises the vast majority of all student loans (somewhere between 90 and 95%, it is estimated). And the benefits for students include no onus to repay until school is completed, as well as lower interest rates than those offered by other lenders. It’s a great way for students to cover expenses in college without the worry of an immediate repayment schedule to contend with.
Frankly, there’s a reason why so many college students turn to the food service industry when it comes to seeking a part- or full-time job. Although campus jobs for students are plentiful, they don’t pay very well and they limit hours (for good reason). However, starving students may need more, and waiting tables often comes with bonuses like a flexible schedule to work with classes, plenty of coworkers to trade shifts with, and of course, tips to supplement an otherwise meager hourly wage. But let’s just be honest here: nobody wants to wait tables. So if you’re looking for some other opportunities that will help to pay tuition and keep you in chips and cola for the duration of your stint on campus, and perhaps even add something useful to your résumé, here are just a few great jobs that you might want to look into.
Barkeep. Okay, so pouring shots and mixing drinks is not much different from waiting tables – with one major exception. The tips are a lot better! You will likely have to go through some type of training course in order to work behind the bar, but you stand to bring in a lot more dough for potentially less work, especially if you get good enough to pick up the weekend shifts. Many a student has paved the way to a brighter future by serving libations to their peers.
When a person takes on the awesome responsibility of raising a child, this means that they are providing them with the kinds of tools that they need in order to be happy, healthy and responsible adults. Certainly, one of the things that help to create that kind of individual is having the desire to give to those in need.
When you’re first introducing that concept to your children, it can be a bit tricky because you want to be able to do it in a way that doesn’t seem like a chore, but rather something that is fun and rewarding. That’s what this article is about: providing you with five ways to teach your child about the importance of giving in a way that will make them want to do it on their own.